Dynamic Middle Infielders Return for 2018

Sohn was voted to the American Association’s Postseason All-Star Team last year after hitting .302 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI in 96 games. The Royal Oak, Michigan native tied for first in the league with 88 runs scored and ranked tied for seventh with 30 stolen bases in 36 attempts. Sohn was named the American Association’s Batter of the Week on two occasions (July 10th-16th and July 31st-August 6th), and enjoyed a career-high 17-game hitting streak (32-for-74, .432) from July 17th through August 7th. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Sohn tied a Goldeyes’ single-game record with six hits on July 15th during Winnipeg’s 12-11, 14-inning victory versus Kansas City. Sohn also drove in seven runs in the contest. Sohn hit safely in seven of eight games played during the postseason, and contributed four RBI in four Championship Series matches against Wichita. On the defensive side, Sohn led all American Association shortstops with 425 total chances.

“I’m really pleased to announce the return of both Andrew and Jordan,” said Goldeyes’ manager Rick Forney. “Both players were very important pieces in our championship run. Andrew is coming off a fantastic season that saw him named to the Postseason All-Star Team. He has a dynamic offensive skill set, and I’m hoping he can repeat his success.”

Sohn is entering his fifth season of professional baseball, and was originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round in 2014 out of Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, Michigan). The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Sohn is a lifetime .261 hitter in 281 games played with a .343 on-base percentage. Sohn has averaged 93 runs scored, 20 doubles, 11 home runs, 63 RBI, 37 stolen bases, and 58 walks per 162 contests as a professional. Sohn—who will be 25 on Opening Night—twice reached the Double-A level with St. Louis, and hit a combined .307 in 146 collegiate games at Western Michigan from 2012-14.

Ebert was signed by the Goldeyes in April before having his contract purchased by the Colorado Rockies’ organization on the first day of spring training. After playing in two games for the Rookie Pioneer League’s Grand Junction Rockies, Ebert returned to the Goldeyes in late-June and hit .316 with two home runs and 13 RBI in 48 contests. The Foley, Alabama native added 24 runs, eight doubles, four stolen bases, and produced a .372 on-base percentage. Defensively, Ebert committed just six errors in 44 games at second base while helping turn 18 double plays. In Game Four of the American Association Division Series on September 10th , Ebert scored the series-clinching run in the bottom of the ninth in a 10-9 win versus Lincoln. From June 30th through July 15th, Ebert matched a career-high with a nine-game hitting streak (17-for-34, .500).

“Jordan is a really good baseball player,” said Forney. “He was tearing up the league before he suffered the hamstring injury in Gary that derailed his season a little bit. I’m really excited to see what he can do over a full, injury-free year.”

Ebert is heading into his third season of professional baseball, and is a career .309 hitter with 52 runs scored, 17 doubles, three home runs, 39 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 92 games. Also a right-handed batter and fielder, Ebert was signed by the Kansas City Royals in 2016 as a non-drafted free agent out of Auburn University (Auburn, Alabama). The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Ebert hit a combined .314 for the Auburn Tigers from 2013-16 while seeing time in both the infield and outfield. The 24-year-old will retain rookie status in the American Association for 2018.

The Goldeyes now have 11 players under contract for the 2018 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during spring training, which begins May 6th.

Notes: Sohn’s six hits on July 15th tied a Goldeyes’ single-game record set by Chad Thornhill on July 27th, 1999 at Madison…the July 15th game set an American Association record for longest game by duration at five hours and 25 minutes…the record was then surpassed by the Goldeyes and Wingnuts in Game Four of the American Association Championship Series on September 18th at five hours and 59 minutes…Sohn’s 88 runs scored are tied with Terry Lee (1997) for second on the Goldeyes’ single-season list…Fehlandt Lentini holds the team record with 93 runs (2006)…Sohn’s father, Ray, also played college baseball at Western Michigan University…Ebert’s father, Michael, played college baseball at Faulkner State Community College and East Tennessee State University